Council to re-think high increase in burial charges

fees of as much as £477 for “out of hours” burials and a £99 premium for Friday afternoons.

Religious protestors claimed the new charges discriminated against them as certain faiths, including Muslims and Jews, require their dead are buried as soon as possible and so they cannot be scheduled to cheaper “off peak” times.

Dewsbury MP Paula Sherriff attended the meeting to voice her opposition to the plan.

Now council leader David Sheard has said the council will consult with representatives of religious groups, funeral directors and other interested parties on alternatives to the proposed increases and bring the matter back with a new report in January or February.

Clr Sheard said he favoured a fee based on the average imposed by councils across West Yorkshire. He dismissed talk of a U-turn, saying: “We hadn’t made a decision in the first place.”

He said there would have to be some slight increase, but the council would look at other ways to recover the costs.

Clr Mark Eastwood, chairman of Dewsbury County Conservative Association, said: “When Kirklees Council first brought out these proposals I was inundated with complaints from residents incensed at the unfair plans to increase burial charges, particularly the surcharge for Friday afternoons, which I queried with Secretary Of State For Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, to see if the charge was discriminatory.

“The shelving of these plans is an embarrassing climbdown by Kirklees Council and Labour councillors involved with drafting up the initial proposals.”

Local campaigner Sajid Hussain said he felt let down by Kirklees Council’s proposals, but said he was pleased the council had “performed a U-turn” on the proposals.

He said: “We really appreciate the help and support Mark gave in our fight against Kirklees. The fact they have now shelved their plans is a victory for common sense and for all communities who came together to oppose them, although it was a disgrace councillors thought the increases would be a good idea in the first place.”

Clr Eastwood said he would monitor any future changes and would, if necessary, take it to the highest level of government once again if any future similar proposals came to light.